University Medical Center has been operating over capacity for almost two years, treating 510 patients Monday morning with only 456 available beds.
UMC broke ground on a 45-bed expansion in September 2016, and Spokesperson Eric Finley said the new facility will house the latest technology.
Emergency Center Medical Director Dr. Christopher Piel said overcrowding happens at hospitals across the nation.
“It’s a problem nationwide, it’s not something that is only happening in Lubbock, Texas.”
And Finley said they had to start denying patients at a much higher level due to the influx last year.
“45 beds, 15 ICU, 30 beds that can be for medical surge units or some transition to a nicer unit, the best in-patient technology, excellent areas for families and physicians to meet and discuss,” Finley said, “All wired obviously for our electronic medical records.”
The number of patients from outside Lubbock County increased by almost 5 percent last year, and Finley thinks it has played a big role in the lack of space.
“I think what we’re seeing more than anything, what’s driving these numbers, is that regional hospitals in this area are choosing to send their patients to Lubbock…and it’s putting some additional pressure on our beds.”
Dr. Piel said he couldn’t be more thrilled about the expansion.
“A lot of West Texas depends on our ability to take care of those patients, and so we have to accommodate them, and this will help.”
